The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic began accepting referrals on September 6, officially opening its doors to K-12 educators, school staff and students across Iowa.
The clinic, located in Plaza Center One in downtown Iowa City, will be available to local clients, with most counseling being offered via telehealth.
The following is from the Daily Iowan article:
The center, which is housed in the UI’s College of Education, originally launched in 2021, but is now focusing on creating a well-prepared staff for all schools in the 99 counties of Iowa.
According to its website, the center will establish evidence-based practices, clinical assessments, and intervention services. The clinic will help offer more mental health services in various situations:
- Crisis debriefing services will be offered after a traumatic event that impacts a school or district
- Short-term individual counseling support will be available for individuals requiring additional care following a crisis event
- Professional consultation and support will be available for school-based crisis teams
Additionally, the clinic is planning to offer individual counseling services for students, educators, and school staff who have identified mental health needs. These services are time-limited.
The clinic is prioritizing care for groups that meet the following criteria:
- People living in rural communities who have limited access to mental health services
- Individuals who face financial barriers regarding mental health services
- Individuals with acute needs following a crisis
- Individuals who need “bridge support” while waiting to connect with a long-term provider